South Staffordshire

South Staffordshire's population grew older between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in family life, housing tenure and marriage.

The population reached nearly 110,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of South Staffordshire increased by 2.1%, from just under 106,000 to 108,000.

The addition of just over 2,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, South Staffordshire was home to, on average, 1.9 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older South Staffordshire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of South Staffordshire increased by four years, from 41 to 45 years.

This affluent area had the third-highest average age in the West Midlands and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 3,700 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 4,000.

About 14% of people in South Staffordshire are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and South Staffordshire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer homes with children

South Staffordshire saw the West Midlands' largest fall in the proportion of households with children.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (28%) households in South Staffordshire had at least one dependent child, compared with 31% in 2001. The percentage with no children increased from 57% to 60%.

Across the region, Tamworth saw the next largest decrease in the proportion of households with children (from 35% in 2001 to 32% in 2011).

The proportion of households with children was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of households with at least one dependent child across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Change in unpaid care

The percentage of South Staffordshire residents that provided between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased from 1.1% to 1.6% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

The proportion who reported providing at least 50 hours of unpaid care each week remained close to 2.1%, while

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care increased faster here than in any other local authority district across the West Midlands. The improvement brought health in South Staffordshire close to the national average 1.4% in England described their health as good in 2011).

The proportion of people providing between 20 and 49 hours of weekly unpaid care in South Staffordshire remained close to 1.6%

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and South Staffordshire by care, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

Private renting increased in South Staffordshire, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the West Midlands, except Malvern Hills and Stratford-on-Avon.

Every local authority area across the West Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of privately rented homes, as the regional average grew from 7.3% to 14%.

Private renting in South Staffordshire increased by 3.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in South Staffordshire, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of South Staffordshire residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.1% to 5.4% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (81%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 70% in 2001. The percentage of South Staffordshire residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21% to 14%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 9.7% in 2001 to 6.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in South Staffordshire decreased by 2.7 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in South Staffordshire, the West Midlands and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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